July 29, 2014, 2:57PM

Though East Baton Rouge Parish leans right, residents appear to be in sync with the New York Times' premonition of the eventual legalization of marijuana. Only, Baton Rougeans don't necessarily want to hitch a ride on the marijuana momentum train just yet. Just a few days before the Baton Rouge Area Foundation released its CityStats survey with polling results of East Baton Rouge Parish residents... Full story »

July 07, 2014, 1:34PM

The Louisiana State Bar Association has endorsed efforts to reduce the sentence for simple possession of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor charge. The association passed a resolution to support reducing sentences for possession of small amounts of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor during its annual meeting in Destin, Fla. last month. The group's proposal is very... Full story »

June 24, 2014, 7:33PM

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, is set to introduce legislation that will increase the amount of "good time" prison officials can apply for non-violent federal prisoners to reduce their sentences. Under his proposal, the sentence reduction for good behavior would rise from a maximum of 47 days a year to 75, or 60 percent. Such a change,... Full story »

May 14, 2014, 8:24AM

Legislation that would block the public, criminal lawyers, state courts and other investigative bodies from finding out who supplies Louisiana with the drugs used to administer the death penalty came one step closer to becoming law Tuesday (May 13). The bill has been moved to the full state House of Representatives for a vote. The bill, should it become... Full story »

March 31, 2014, 8:10PM

At-a-glance: The House passed a bill 68-28 that could have people involved in a police chase serve a longer amount of time in jail if convicted. The bill: The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport. He wants to see penalties for trying to get away from law enforcement in a vehicle or boat increased from a maximum to two... Full story »

March 26, 2014, 6:02PM

At-a-Glance: Louisiana drivers who toss cigarette butts out on the ground or out of their car windows would be fined and made to perform community service, under a bill approved by the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday (March 26). The bill: House Bill 910 is sponsored by state Rep. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero. While state law already penalizes litterers,... Full story »

March 26, 2014, 1:10PM

Anti-domestic violence activists burst into cheers Wednesday (March 26), as a spate of bills to extend more rights to abuse victims in Louisiana passed their first legislative hurdle. The bills would increase penalties for domestic abusers, including banning them from possessing guns for a decade, as well strengthen the process for issuing protective orders to victims and offering treatment programs... Full story »

March 26, 2014, 11:19AM

At-a-Glance: Just more than a decade after mandatory minimums for heroin addicts and dealers were lessened by Louisiana lawmakers, they're likely to increase again after a bill to double minimum prison terms passed its first hurdle Wednesday (March 26). The bill: House Bill 332 is sponsored by state Rep. Joe Lopinto, R-Metairie, who also chairs the House Criminal Justice... Full story »

March 25, 2014, 7:49PM

At-a-Glance: Extremely intoxicated Louisianians who get behind the wheel and end up in a fatal accident could be charged with a crime of violence, under legislation approved by a Senate committee Tuesday (March 25). The bill: Senate Bill 55 is sponsored by state Sen. Bob Kostelka, R-Monroe. The bill would add "vehicular homicide" to the list of crimes of... Full story »

March 25, 2014, 4:24PM

The National Rifle Association has decided to not oppose domestic violence legislation proposed by a New Orleans lawmaker after the two parties reached a compromise that will allow the national organization to remain neutral on the bill. House Bill 753, sponsored by state Rep. Helena Moreno, includes language that would allow law enforcement officers to confiscate an abuser's guns if... Full story »

March 24, 2014, 7:58PM

At-a-Glance: The Louisiana Senate passed legislation Monday (March 24) to require the state to undertake an inventory of all untested sexual assault collection tests, write a report and present it to lawmakers. The bill: Senate Bill 296 is sponsored by J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, who also chairs the committee. The bill would require every state agency charged with the... Full story »

March 18, 2014, 5:12PM

At-a-Glance: The Senate Judiciary B Committee approved legislation Tuesday (March 18) to allow state officials to inspect facilities charged with the manufacture, transport, storage or use of explosive materials. The bill: Senate Bill 129 is sponsored by Francis Thompson, D-Delhi. The bill authorizes the deputy secretary (or his designee) of the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections to... Full story »

March 14, 2014, 7:30AM

Legislative Roundup provides a morning digest of what happened during the last 24 hours in the Louisiana Legislature, and what is expected to happen in the day ahead. It will run every day during the 2014 legislative session. WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY ON THE DOCKET TODAY The Legislature does not meet on Fridays. Gov. Bobby Jindal heads to New Hampshire... Full story »

March 11, 2014, 4:18PM

A new push by Gov. Bobby Jindal to further toughen the state's human trafficking laws doesn't just provide new legal protections for victims and harsher penalties for perpetrators; it also serves to crack down on prostitution writ large in Louisiana by zeroing in on madams and pimps who further the practice. State Rep. Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans, will sponsor... Full story »

February 28, 2014, 1:43PM

Last December, former nurse and father of four Ben Freeman took a shotgun from his home and used it to murder his former mother-in-law and ex-boss before turning it on himself. This was only after he suffocated his wife Denise Taylor, who had recently pressed charges against Freeman for domestic violence. While the death toll resulting from Freeman's rampage was... Full story »

November 02, 2013, 4:33PM

Capitol Digest provides an inside look at what happened in state politics this week. These quick reports offer insight into campaigns, committee meetings and other goings-on and give an overview of the coming week's events. CAMPBELL BLASTS JINDAL ON LEVEE BOARD SUIT Foster Campbell, a perennial critic of Gov. Bobby Jindal, is criticizing the governor anew for his opposition... Full story »

August 12, 2013, 6:40PM

Off-duty law enforcement officers cannot bring guns into a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol unless they're acting on official police business, Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said Monday. Caldwell's opinion was released after a state lawmaker requested clarification on the state's gun laws. State Rep. Henry Burns, R-Haughton, filed a bill during this year's legislative session that would... Full story »

June 20, 2013, 9:21PM

Gov. Bobby Jindal signed a bill into law Thursday that will allow nonviolent drug offenders to gain early release from jail if they participate in rehabilitation programs. The sentencing reform legislation was part of the governor's package of bills during this year's session. Under the new law, Louisianians convicted of felony drug possession or intent to distribute less than... Full story »

June 12, 2013, 4:00PM

Gov. Bobby Jindal signed two criminal justice bills into law Tuesday. One will expand the program that allows some offenders to seek early release based on good behavior while the second will extend certain rights to former inmates looking to adopt children in the state. Under current law, non-violent offenders can earn "good time" credits toward reducing their sentences... Full story »

June 05, 2013, 7:12PM

Efforts to reduce marijuana possession penalties in Louisiana failed twice Wednesday, as lawmakers rejected debate on a provision aimed at keeping offenders out of jail. Although the bill will be given one final shot Thursday, the last day of the session, the outlook is dim for passage. Because it's so late in the legislative session, House Bill 103, needs... Full story »